Pneumatic mattress



Jan. 23, 1934. B. c. RUBIN PNEUMATIC MATTRESS Filed Jan. '7, 1931 2 Sheets-Sheet l R O T. N E V m B yenarnn'n harles' Rufub ATTORNEY Janf 23, 1934. I. B, Q RUBlN 1,944,466-r PNEUMATIC MATTRESS Filed Jan. 7, 1951 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 l INVENTOR f BenJamJn CbarjejRubin,

' AT'ToRNEY Patented Jan. 23, 1934 PNEUMATIC MATTRESS Benjamin Charles Rubin,l New York, N. Y.

Application January 7,

Claims.

5 fluid.

, The mattress is/self contained and receives its charge of air, which is introduced under normal atmospheric pressure and is then compressed to inflate the mattress by manipulation of one of o the direct elements of themattress structure.

It is, therefore, a self inflating mattress and requires no pump or blow tube for giving the desired pressure for inflation.

. The principal objects of the invention are to provide a simple, staunch, though flexible structure by uniting the elements in a simple manner.

A further object is to provide a means in the arrangement of the elements constituting the mattress, whereby it is self inflating.

Referring to the drawings: y

Figure 1 is a plan View of the device as it would appear when partially inflated.

Figure 2 is a perspective view with the mattress fully infiated.

Figure 2A is a section of a form of strip for securing the mattress elements.

Figure 3 is a. similar view showing the inflated mattress in an enclosing casing or tick and with parts broken away to illustrate the construction.

Figure 4 is a detailed fragmentary section illustrating the manner of securing the top and bottom parts.

-Figure 5 is a fragmentary section illustrating an edge or side seam of the mattress of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is al detailed View of one side of the neck or air trap of the mattress.

Figure 7 is a similar view from the opposite side to that of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a sectional view on the line 8-8 of Figure 7.

Figure 9 is a view similar to Figure 6, looking from the side of said figure.

Figure 10 is a fragmentary view illustrating constructional features at the bottom of the mattress.

Figure 11 is a fragmentary section illustrating a coated fabric formation.

Before proceeding with the description and pointing out the features of novelty of my invention, I might state that pneumatic mattresses were well known in the art and to me prior to the invention herein disclosed. However, such mattresses, of which I had knowledge,A comprised structural forms consisting of baglike forms of v1931. Serial No. 507,073

various types, such as rubber, capable of holding air, and with attachments for blowing or pumping them up by introducing air thereto through some mechanical means or through ablow pipe having a suitable check valve.

In all these devices, there was required a special attachment or apparatus for inilating the mattress.

My conceptive idea to overcome the objections of these inilating devices was to provide a' self contained unit so arranged that a volume of air could be entrapped in sufficient volume to give any desired degree of inflation to the mattress when the entrapping elements were closed and inserted Within the main mattress structure.

In carrying out the invention, I refer to the drawings, wherein the numeral 1, denotes the top portion of the mattress, there being an identical sheet 2, forming the bottom thereof. Two sides and one end of the mattress consists of the strip 3. These elements are made en'tirely of rubber or of rubberized fabric.

Where rubberized fabric is used, the fabric forms the outer surface of the parts, thus bringing the joining seams, such as 4, together with meeting rubber surfaces.

All seams are formed in any desired manner andmay be stitched, as at 5, while the meeting rubber surfaces may be cemented and vulcanized together to form an air tight structure.

y In order-that the mattress may be evenly inflated to hold the Weight of the person without giving a rolling effect, I provide longitudinal strips 6, dividing the interior of the mattress into longitudinal air compartments. These strips extend toward the bottom of the mattress but not to the end thereof, so that there is a cross channel 7, common to the several intermediate air channels 8, 9, 10, 11, 12.`

When using a coated fabric, I employ for the longitudinal strips which separate the air channels, a special structure of T form, as illustrated in Figure 2A. These strips may be made very strong by cementing or vulcanizing the rubber surfaces 13, together, thus leaving the rubber surfaces 14, 15, 16, 17, which may be cemented and if need be, vulcanized to the top and bottom sections of the mattress respectively.

The strips 6, need not extend the full length of the mattress and by preference, do not extend thereto, thus there is a section 18, which forms a rise in the upper surface of the mattress providing a pillow like form.

The top and bottom portions are extended, as

closure 21.

Sliding closures are well known in the art, but for convenience, I have `used this as a means for closing the head of the mattress.

The side strips of the mattress, as at 22, are joined to pieces of substantially triangular form, 23, 24, which parts are joined to extension flaps 25, 26, thus forming a bag like structure of considerable capacity.

This is, in effect, a bellows for forcing air the mattress to infiate it.

The mattress, when not in use, is rolled up or folded so that it is entirely deflated, with its walls in contact. The air opening or valve, through which air is admitted to or released from the mattress, provides a means for securing any desired pressure in the mattress. Obviously, when the mattress is unrolled, the bellows may be opened suihciently to entrap an adequate volume of air for opening up the mattress. Thereupon, the bellows may be opened up sufficiently to receive a volume of air which will give any desired pressure in said mattress.

The capacity of the bellows is such, that when fully extended, it will entrap a volume of air that will give a comparatively high pressure in the mattress. The pressure, if too high, may be released by slightly opening the seal for an instant to permit escape of the desired amount of air.

This bag like structure has, at one corner, a closure 27, which may be opened to permit air to enter the bag and mattress and at the oppointo .site end is provided with a tab or extension 28,

.which forms a convenient means for holding the bag in open position, as illustrated in Figure 9.

In order to stiffen the edges of the end of the mattress adjacent to the slider closures, a pocket 29 is provided in which is inserted a light metallic or other stiifener member 30. This is provided to give an easy closing action for the slider.

A ap 31 is secured to the bottom section of the mattress near the head and this is provided with suitable fasteners herein illustrated as snap fasteners 32, there being cooperating fastener members 33, adjacent to the edge of the upper section of the mattress.

The purpose of this flap and the fastenings 'is to secure iheextended ailing bag within the confines of the mattress structure so that the sliding closure may be readily operated for opening or closing the end of the mattress.

The closure 27 is not described in detail, but generally consists of a pair of jaws 27a, 27h, with an air tight gasket 2Ic, and lock piece 27d, for securing the closure.

The bag parts are properly secured to this vclosure to form an hermetic seal.

In Figure 11, there is illustrated, apiece of fabric which has a fabric surface I, and a rubber or other impervious surface r.

There is an advantage in using the rubberized fabric in that it has great tensile strength and when rubber to rubber is used, in the parts of the structure, they may be perfectly cemented and vulcanized together.

The rubber forms the holding surface for the parts while the fabric gives 'the necessary tensile strength, being nonelastic, though flexible. Furthermore, very desirable finishes may be given to the exterior by `using any desired type of fabric nished to suedes, tapestries, gabardines, and in fact, any other artistic materials.

Of course, the invention is not at all ted to a rubberized fabric and in fact. I do employ at 19, and are secured to tapes 20,-of a sliding `rubber for a mattress, as illustrated in Figure 3, wherein the edges are bound and cemented, as illustrated in Figure 5, and the intermediate strips between top and bottom of the mattress to localize the air pressures by forming air tubes are formed' of rubberized fabric, as illustrated in Figures 3 and 2A.

Rubberized fabric gives greater strength and less distortion than rubber would give for the intermediate strips.

If employing rubberized fabric with the rubber at the exterior and fabric at the interior, the rubberized strip, such as illustrated in Figure 4, may be employed. r In this case, a U shaped strip of rubberized fabric 3e, may be stitched at top and bottom to the mattress elements and in order to completely close the stitching, a rubber strip 35, is used, which may be cemented to the outer rubber' surface of the mattress parts, or the strip 35, may be of rubberized fabric with the rubber surface against the rubber surface of the mattress.

The rubber mattress of Figure 3, is illustrated as inserted in a ticking 36, or cover of appropriate form and fabric which may have fastening i60 devices 37, 38, for closing the ends of the mattress cover.

It will be noted that the drawings illustrate the outer compartments 8, 9, as slightly wider than the intermediate compartments 10, to 12, inclusive.

The purpose of this is togive the outer edges of the mattress a little more air than the central portion so that there will be no tendency of the body to roll off from the mattress. However, there is no -appearance of extra height when the mattress is inflated.

The operation .of the device will be apparent. The triangular bag like structure at the end of the mattress is pulled out, as illustrated in Fisure 9, -thus providing an air bag or bellows of considerable air capacity. When so pulled out. the closure 27 is secured to prevent escape of 'the air entrapped in the bag or bellows.) The bag is then rolled toward the end of the mattress, as illustrated in Figure 1, until it is completely inserted within the end and secured by the flap 31. Thereupon, the sliding fastener completes the closure.

The flap 31, of course, takes the strain away from the sliding fastener. The rolled bag or bellows is readily inserted and held in place by the flap within the pillow section.

It will be noted there is a free ow of air through the air tubes, both at the head and foot of the mattress so that pressures will always be equalized.

While I have shown and described specific elements of rubberized fabrics and rubber for making up a mattress, it is to be understood that these specific forms may be modified and changed to any degree necessary to perform the functions of the invention. They may be'mcdified to suit the exigencies of any particular requirements. m0

With my construction, there is 4a resilient, though hrm mattress structure and one which is very comfortable to use.

There is no tendency of roll whichis frequent in air bags and mattresses of the usual time. M5 inasmuch as the surfaces are stabilized by the intermediate holding strips forming air tubes longitudinally of the structure.

In moving upon the mattress, a che of pressure in certain pori-,icm of the math/ese dees uct is@ cause a bulging at other points. Therefore, there is no rolling sensation or tendency.

What I claim as my invention and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

l. An inilatable mattress having a main body portion, an inilating` bellows attached to one end thereof, an air sealing device permanently secured to the bellows, means for opening and closing the sealing device, saidV bellows adapted to be rolled upon itself` to in'ate the mattress and means for securing the bellows at the end ofthe mattress when so rolled.

2. An inatable mattress having a main body portion, an inilating bellows extending from one end thereof and having a width and height substantially coextensive with the width and height of the mattress, an air sealing device permanently secured to the bellows and having an opening, means for opening and closing said opening permitting eduction or induction of air to the bellows, said bellows adapted to be rolled upon itself to force air into the mattress and means for securing the bellows within the mattress when so rolled.

3. An inflatable mattress having a main body portion divided longitudinally into air compartments, an inating bellows attached to one end thereof, an air sealing device permanently secured to the bellows, means for opening and closing the sealing device, said bellows adapted to be rolled upon itself to inflate the compartments of the mattress and means for securing the belthereof and having an air capacity substantially equal to that of the mattress, an air sealing device for the bellows having an opening, means for hermetically sealing said opening, said bellows' adapted to be rolled upon itself to force its air content into the mattress and means for securing the bellows at the end of the mattress when so said bellows adapted to be rolled upon itself to force its air into the compartment of the bellows.

BENJAMIN CHARLES RUBIN. 

